A Review on Intelligent Control for energy-efficient train operation

Rail transport, one of the most important means of transportation, is very meaningful to the development of national economy as well as the social welfare. While it provides people convenient and efficient services, it consumes huge amounts of energy. With increasing emphasis from society on energy-saving and emission-reducing, researches on energy efficient railway are of great significance, particularly energy-efficient train operation based on Intelligent Control (IC). This paper introduces the research achievements and development trends in locomotive, traction, IC and other related fields from the following three aspects: Basic theories of energy-efficient train and mathematical model research; IC and simulation of energy-efficient train operation; related intelligent system. The paper also looks forward to the prospect of Multi-Train Coordination as well as Intelligent Transportation Systems in the future from the aspect of developing Sensor Networks and Cyber Physical Systems.